Faces of War: Documenting the Vietnam War from the Front Lines

Learn more about FACES OF WAR or watch the Video Introduction.

Produced in partnership with the DASPO Combat Photographers Association, the Museum & Library's new FACES OF WAR exhibit and permanent online gallery are largely supported by the contributions of private donors and the DASPO veterans themselves.

The Vietnam War (1955-1975) traces its roots to the colonization of Vietnam by France in the late 19th Century. Learn more.

Digging In, 1965. Photo by Second Lieutenant James R. Lowell, U.S. Army.

Heavy Load, 1965. Photo by Sergeant First Class William H. "Bill" Foulke, U.S. Army.

Off to a Beer Break, 1965. Photo by Sergeant First Class William H. "Bill" Foulke, U.S. Army.

K-Ration Kids, 1965. Vietnamese children in Saigon enjoy a C-Ration meal with a large menu from which to choose. Photo by Second Lieutenant James R. Lowell, U.S. Army.

Beware of Dog, 1965. A Vietnamese orphan scans the streets of Saigon. Photo by Second Lieutenant James R. Lowell, U.S. Army.

Burning Hooch, 1966. Members of B Company, 2nd Battalion, U.S. Army 14th Infantry look for signs of the Viet Cong as they search a deserted farmhouse in the Xa Ba Phuoc Province during Operation Wahiawa. Photo by Sergeant First Class James K.F. Dung, U.S. Army.

In the late 1960s, the United States began to escalate its military involvement in Vietnam. Learn more about 1966-1967.

Enemy Prisoners, 1966. Members of the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division detain Viet Cong prisoners on the Cambodian border. Photo by Sergeant First Class Alfred “Bat” Batungbacal, U.S. Army.

Intelligence, 1966. Members of the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division search the body of a Viet Cong soldier for documents in Hố Bò Woods. Photo by Alfred 'Bat' Batungbacal, U.S. Army.

Refuge, 1966. A soldier from the U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division holds a puppy that managed to survive an air strike near Laike. Photo by Specialist 5 Robert C. Lafoon, U.S. Army.

Dustoff, 1966. An executive officer with the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division is evacuated aboard a 'DUSTOFF' Huey UH-1 air ambulance after receiving a leg wound in a firefight near Pleiku. Photo by Specialist 5 Robert C. Lafoon, U.S. Army.

Chasin' Charlie, 1966. Members of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division prepare to move across a rice field near Tuy Hòa in pursuit of the enemy.Photo by Specialist 5 Robert C. Lafoon, U.S. Army.

On the Attack, 1966. A helicopter transports members of the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division to the Cambodian border. Photo by Sergeant First Class Alfred “Bat” Batungbacal, U.S. Army.

Revenge is Sweet, 1967. Members of the 4th Battalion, 503rd U.S. Army Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade regroup for another assault on Hill 875 near Đắk Tô. Photo by Sergeant First Class Alfred “Bat” Batungbacal, U.S. Army.

Sawadee, 1967. General William C. Westmoreland, Commander of United States Military Assistance Command in Vietnam, attends ceremonies welcoming the Royal Thailand Volunteers. Photo by Specialist 5 Robert C. Lafoon, U.S. Army.

Connecting, 1967. Soldiers of the U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division provide food and medical attention to local villagers near Thuận Giao. Photo by Specialist 5 Robert C. Lafoon, U.S. Army.

Operation MacArthur, 1967. A Bell UH-1 Iroquois (“Huey”) prepares for a resupply mission for Company B, 1st Battalion, U.S. Army 8th Infantry Division near Đắk Tô. Photo by Private First Class Carl Hansen, U.S. Army.

Recon by Fire, 1967. A member of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division in Quảng Ngãi Province uses his M16 rifle to conduct reconnaissance by fire. Photo by Specialist 5 Robert C. Lafoon, U.S. Army.

Fire for Effect, 1967. Members of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division fire 81 mm mortar rounds at enemy targets near Tam Kỳ. Photo by Specialist 5 Robert C. Lafoon, U.S. Army.

Tunnel Rat, 1967. Flashlight and .45 pistol in hand, a squad leader from the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division searches for the enemy in an underground tunnel in Củ Chi, northwest of Saigon. Photo by Specialist 5 Robert C. Lafoon, U.S. Army.

Not a Drop to Drink, 1967. A DASPO motion picture (“mopic”) cameraman accompanies members of the U.S. Army 199th Light Infantry Brigade as they wade through a deep irrigation canal near Cát Lái. Photo by Specialist 5 Robert C. Lafoon, U.S. Army.

River Rat, 1967. A crew member participates in Operation Coronado on a Heavy Support Boat (Monitor) in the Rung Sat Special Zone (“Killer Swamp”), southwest of Saigon in Biên Hòa Province. Photo by Specialist 5 Richard A. “Dick” Durrance, U.S. Army.

Bird's Eye View, 1967. A crewman aboard a CH-47A (Chinook) helicopter conducts a mission over the Mekong Delta. Photo by Specialist 5 Richard A. “Dick” Durrance, U.S. Army. 

Speedy Delivery, 1967. Members of a reconnaissance platoon from the U.S. Army 1st Air Cavalry Division are dispatched by a Huey UH-1D helicopter in Du Pho. Photo by Sergeant First Class Howard C. “Harry” Breedlove, U.S. Army.

A pivotal year in the Vietnam War, 1968 marked the high point of U.S. military engagement. Learn more.

Dispossessed, 1968. Elements of D Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division move past a house destroyed in a firefight at Tan Thoi Nhut. Photo by Specialist 5 Richard A. “Dick” Durrance, U.S. Army.

Yards, 1968. Ethnic Montagnards (known as “Yards”) serving in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) ride aboard a CH-47A (Chinook) helicopter near Pleiku. Photo by Specialist 5 Richard A. “Dick” Durrance, U.S. Army.

Watchful Breather, 1968. Two of the five members of a Long Range Recon Patrol (LRRP) team with the U.S. Army 173rd Airborne Brigade watch for the enemy as they rest in the mountains west of An Khê. Photo by Captain Roger Hawkins, U.S. Army.

Shell Station, 1968. During the Tet Offensive, a Shell Oil station burns on Plantation Road in Gia Định. Photo by Specialist 5 Bryan K. Grigsby, U.S. Army.

Search and Destroy, 1968. Elements of C Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division and 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry (Mech), 25th Infantry Division take part in Operation Tran Hung Dao in Bình Dương Province. Photo by Specialist 5 Bryan K. Grigsby, U.S. Army.

Grime, 1968. A crewman with B Troop, 3/4 Cavalry, U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division suffers through another day of heat and filth aboard a M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) near Tan Thoi Nhut. Photo by Specialist 5 Richard A. “Dick” Durrance, U.S. Army.

Anticipation, 1968. A Huey UH-1D helicopter carrying members of A Company, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, U.S. Army 1st Air Cavalry Division approaches a landing zone. Photo by Specialist 5 Richard A. “Dick” Durrance, U.S. Army.

Fascination, 1968. Somewhere near the Cambodian and Laotian border, a Vietnamese boy watches as a medical team from the 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry, U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division treats the foot of a woman who was bitten by a viper. Photo by Specialist 5 Theodore “Ted” Acheson, U.S. Army.

Operation Muscatine, 1968. Elements of Company B, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry, U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division act as a blocking force for elements of the 2nd Vietnamese Army Division in Chu Lai, Quảng Ngãi Province. Photo by Private First Class Carl C. Hansen, U.S. Army.

Gotcha, 1968. A fearful Viet Cong prisoner is detained by elements of A Company, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, U.S. Army 1st Air Cavalry Division. Photo by Specialist 5 Richard A. “Dick” Durrance, U.S. Army.

Interrogation, 1968. Elements of A Company, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, U.S. Army 1st Air Cavalry Division interrogate a Viet Cong prisoner while on patrol in the Quế Sơn Valley during Operation Wheeler/Wallowa. Photo by Specialist 5 Richard A. “Dick” Durrance, U.S. Army.

Artilleryman, 1968. An artilleryman with A Battery, 6th Battalion, 33rd Artillery, U.S. Army 1st Air Cavalry Division receives mail from home at LZ Stud during Operation Pegasus. Photo by Specialist 5 Richard A. “Dick” Durrance, U.S. Army.

Tropic Lightning, 1968. An M60 Tank and armored personnel carrier of B Troop, 3/4 Cavalry, U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division engage in a firefight at Tan Thoi Nhut. Photo by Specialist 5 Richard A. "Dick" Durrance, U.S. Army.

Alert and Alive, 1968. A soldier with the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division keeps a watchful eye for the enemy at Phu Bai Combat Base, south of Huế in central Vietnam. Photo by Sergeant First Class Howard C. “Harry” Breedlove, U.S. Army.

Base Camp Operations, 1968. Members of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division pass sand bags down the line at Phu Bai Combat Base, south of Huế in central Vietnam. Photo by Sergeant First Class Howard C. “Harry” Breedlove, U.S. Army.

Jazz Group, 1968. A bare-chested quintet plays hot jazz at Camp Evans (aka LZ Evans), located in the I Corps Tactical Zone. Photo by Specialist 5 Richard A. “Dick” Durrance, U.S. Army.

Under newly elected President Richard Nixon, the United States' policy of Vietnamization slowly began to take effect in 1969. Learn more.

Roger—Out, 1969. A radio operator with the U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division rests against a tree after carrying his 23.5-pound AN/PRC-25 "Prick Twenty-Five" in the hot Vietnam jungle. Photo by Specialist 5 Bryan K. Grigsby, U.S. Army.

Zonked, 1969. A member of B Troop rests after night guard duty at Box Bridge. Photo by Specialist 5 Bryan K. Grigsby, U.S. Army.

Mill Around Mill, 1969. Members of "B" Company, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division wait for a helicopter transport after completing an operation outside the Long Bình U.S. military post near Biên Hòa. Photo by Specialist 5 Bryan K. Grigsby, U.S. Army.

40mm Duster in the An Khê Pass, 1969. Members of the 4th Battalion, 60th Artillery, U.S. Army 1st Field Force operate an M42 “Duster” in Bình Định Province. Photo by Captain Roger Hawkins, U.S. Army.

Wingman, 1969. Members of the U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized) prepare to chase Viet Cong units in Bình Dương Province. Photo by Captain Roger Hawkins, U.S. Army.

Rootin' Tootin' Raspberry, 1969. A member of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division sets smoke for a helicopter extraction near Tam Kỳ in the Quảng Tín Province. Photo by Captain Roger Hawkins, U.S. Army.

Operation Lamar Plain, 1969. Members of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division engage with a company-sized enemy force on the far side of a rice paddy during Operation Lamar Plain in Quảng Tín Province. Photo by Captain Roger Hawkins, U.S. Army.

LRRP West of An Khe, 1968. One member of a a seven man Long Range Recon Patrol (LRRP) team from the U.S. Army 173rd Airborne Brigade choppers into a landing zone (LZ) near An Khê. Photo by Captain Roger Hawkins, U.S. Army.

Fire Dragon, 1969. An M42 40 mm Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun in an open turret provides road security along Highway 19 between Qui Nhơn and Pleiku. Photo by Captain Roger Hawkins, U.S. Army.

Direct U.S. military involvement ended in 1973 with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords, and the war reached its final resolution in 1975. Learn more.

Refugee, 1975. A South Vietnamese refugee cries upon her arrival at Eglin Air Force Base near Valparaiso, Florida. Photo by Specialist 5 Bryan K. Grigsby.

A small sampling of additional images by DASPO shooters, not included in the actual exhibit.

Praise the Lord, 1966. A Catholic chaplain conducts Mass for members of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division near Tuy Hòa. Photo by Specialist 5 Robert C. Lafoon, U.S. Army.

Home Cookin' 1967. A member of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division eats his first hot meal in five days after operating in the Quảng Ngãi Province. Photo by Specialist 5 Robert C. Lafoon, U.S. Army.

Ready! Fire! 1967. Members of Battery B, 2nd Battlion, 320th Artillery, U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division provide fire support from a mountain top in Tam Kỳ. Photo by Specialist 5 Robert C. Lafoon, U.S. Army. 

Pig, 1967. A member of the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division fires his M60 machine gun at a tree line in the Filhol Rubber Plantation near Củ Chi. 

Drained, 1967. An exhausted soldier from the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division takes a break inside a M113 Armored Personnel Carrier near Củ Chi. Photo by Specialist 5 Robert C. Lafoon, U.S. Army.

Captured, 1967. Members of U.S. Army 1st Cavalry Division return to base camp in the An Lao Valley with Viet Cong prisoners. Photo by Specialist 5 Robert C. Lafoon, U.S. Army.

Hoochmate, 1968. An infantryman with the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 2nd Brigade, U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division displays above his tent a skull that he found on patrol near Camp Warrior in Pleiku Province. Photo by Specialist 5 Richard A. “Dick” Durrance, U.S. Army.

Established Perimeter, 1968. Members of B troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division operate north of Huế. Photo by Sergeant First Class Alfred “Bat” Batungbacal, U.S. Army.

I'm Walkin' 1968. An infantryman with the U.S. Army 1st Air Cavalry Division carries an M-60 machine gun on a road approaching LZ Stud in Quảng Trị Province, in north Central Vietnam. Photo by Specialist 5 Richard A. “Dick” Durrance, U.S. Army.

Civilian Casualties, 1968. Injured civilians flee their homes in Da Nang on the first day of the Tet Offensive. Photo by Specialist 5 Richard A. “Dick” Durrance, U.S. Army.

Gunner and Assistant, 1968. Two members of A Company, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, U.S. Army 1st Air Cavalry Division pause while on patrol in Quế Sơn Valley during Operation Wheeler/Wallowa. Photo by Specialist 5 Richard A. “Dick” Durrance, U.S. Army.

Pet Monkey, 1968. A pet monkey enjoys a can of beer at Camp Evans. Photo by Specialist 5 Richard A. “Dick” Durrance, U.S. Army.

The men of DASPO were dedicated professionals who took pride in documenting United States Army activities around the world. Putting their lives on the line, these still photographers and motion picture cameramen covered every United States Army campaign of the Vietnam War. 

Specialist 5 Charles W. "Chuck" Abbott, U.S. Army.

Specialist 5 Theodore "Ted" Acheson, U.S. Army.

Specialist 5 Gregory L. "Greg" Adams, U.S. Army

Specialist 4 Andy Anderson, U.S. Army

Sergeant First Class Alfred "Bat" Batungbacal, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Daniel R. "Dan" Bauer, U.S. Army

Sergeant First Class Howard C. "Harry" Breedlove, U.S. Army

First Sergeant Kenneth R. "Ken" Bridgham, U.S. Army

First Lieutenant Joseph Broghamer, U.S. Army

Master Sergeant Al Chang, U.S. Army

Lieutenant Colonel Carl "Charles" Conn, U.S. Army 

Specialist 5 William D. "Dave" Curtis, U.S. Army

Staff Sergeant Luis Dacorro, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 David Dardzinski, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Monte Duarte, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Richard A. "Dick" Durrance, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 James B. "Jim" Egan, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Craig M. Fairall, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Wendell D. Garrett, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Francis E. "Frank" Gassner, U.S. Army

Brigadier General Robert "Bad Bob" Gaylord, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Staff Sergeant George Gentry, U.S. Army

First Lieutenant John G. Gilroy, U.S. Army

First Sergeant Raymond "Ray" Goddard, U.S. Army

Captain Gerald L. "Jerry" Graver, U.S. Army

Captain Richard M. Griffith, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Jerry P. Hains, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Carl C. Hansen, U.S. Army

Captain Roger B. Hawkins, U.S. Army

Sergeant First Class Richard S. Hiwa, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 John J. Ho, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Alan K. Holm, U.S. Army

Private First Class Cliff Hopps, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Robert G. "Bob" Hovis, U.S. Army

Sergeant First Class Donald D. Jellema, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 David L. Johnston, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 George Jolliff, U.S. Army

Colonel Arthur "Art" Jones, U.S. Army

Sergeant First Class Kit Kramer, U.S. Army

Sergeant First Class Michael "Mike" Lamanna, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Robert C. Lafoon, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Albert "Al" Lambert, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Mark L. Largent, U.S. Army

Staff Sergeant George W. LeFever, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Edgar Lewin, U.S. Army

Staff Sergeant Grant Tom Lingle, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Robert N. Lohr, U.S. Army

Private James Macintosh, U.S. Army

Captain Edmond "Ed" Mahan, U.S. Army

Sergeant First Class Leroy Massie, U.S. Army

Master Sergeant Billy A. McBride, U.S. Army

Captain Edward J. McNamara, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Thomas "Tom" Mintier, U.S. Army

SP5 Hans P. Nohr, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Robert Owens, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Stephen V. "Steve" Pacatte, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Leroy Parker, U.S. Army 

Specialist 5 Burton W. "Burt" Peterson, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Kenneth L. "Ken" Powell, U.S. Army

Master Sergeant Joseph T. Primeau, U.S. Army

Specialist 6 Eugene M. Randon, U.S. Army

Sergeant Charles Frederick "Rick" Rein, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Jose C. "Joe" Rivera, U.S. Army

Staff Sergeant Hector Robertin, U.S. Army

Staff Sergeant Virgil Rodriquez, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 John E. "Sandy" Sandri, U.S. Army

Captain William D. "Bill" San Hamel, U.S. Army

Sergeant First Class Thomas J. Schiro, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 James E. Shaw, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Bob Smith, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Duke Smith, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Phillip R. "Randy" Smith, U.S. Army

Sergeant First Class Martin "Marty" Steinbis, U.S. Army

Specialist 6 Lawrence "Larry" Sullivan, U.S. Army

Staff Sergeant Samuel L. "Lee" Swain, U.S. Army

Sergeant First Class Henry J. "Hank" Swartout, U.S. Army

Sergeant First Class Kazuo "Charlie" Uchima, U.S. Army

Sergeant First Class Thomas O. "Tom" Wade, U.S. Army

Specialist 5 Edward J. "Ed" Walsh, U.S. Army

Staff Sergeant Richard D. Welsh, U.S. Army

First Lieutenant Thomas H. Wilson, U.S. Army

Sergeant First Class Lawrence S. Windon, U.S. Army 

Sergeant Kermit Harold "JR" Yoho, U.S. Army